Alana Bond (Chairperson) – Managing Director and Co-Owner, Mpowered Business Solutions
Alana Bond is Managing Director and Co-owner of Mpowered Business Solutions, a consultancy which focuses on sustainable BEE and transformation strategies to deliver value, impact and compliance for clients. Previously, Alana led the sustainable business unit at Bravura Consulting. She also spent several years at Accenture. Alana has advised some of the country’s largest companies on BEE and CSR strategy, including Xstrata and Anglo American. She is based in Johannesburg.
Matthew Comins (Treasurer) – Director of Finance, HL Halls and Sons Limited
Matthew Comins is Director of Finance with HL Halls and Sons Limited in Nelspruit. It is a family-owned business with a long and respected history in mixed farming, exporting, property development, and intellectual property-based businesses. He previously worked at Alliance One, Standard Commercial and Pim/Golby/Deloitte&Touche, where he was a tax and audit practitioner. Matthew is a Chartered Accountant and is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Bo Nilsson (Secretary) – Managing Director, Nilsson and Associates
Bo Nilsson is Managing Director of Nilsson and Associates, a company which he founded in 1986 to provide insurance, healthcare and financial services to the Nelspruit area. Prior to this, Bo gained experience in helping the poor through non-profit initiatives in Swaziland, where he grew up. He was a project leader and then Administrator of a new mission hospital. He also set up a Swaziland depot for Help the Children Fund. Bo has a good understanding of local customs and languages in the areas where Phakani works.
Henry Chikandiwa – Community Volunteer, Theology Student
Henry Chikandiwa has a varied background with roots in the local community, although he is originally from Zimbabwe. He is currently studying for his Masters degree with South Africa Theological Seminary while serving as a student pastor to a church in White River. Previously, Henry has worked as a transport manager and supervisor at organisations in the Hazyview area. He has also held non-profit volunteer positions such as Youth Leader and Regional Youth Leader.
Charmaine Groves – Chief Executive Officer, Masisizane
Charmaine Groves is Chief Executive Officer of Masisizane, a non-profit development financing company that was created following the closure of Old Mutual’s unclaimed shares trust. Masisezane provides small, micro- and medium-sized businesses in South Africa with access to financial and other resources. She has nearly 30 years experience in the financial services sector, including corporate finance issues related to pension fund management, actuarial services, sales and distribution. Charmaine is from Cape Town.
Donald Lagerway – Managing Director of Tony Lagerway Construction
Don Lagerway is the Managing Director of Tony Lagerway Construction in White River. Over nearly four decades Don has developed his company into a diversified developer with interests in commercial building, property development, property management, frail care and retirement complexes, secured storage facilities, and a timber door and window manufacturer. Don has served on the boards of Africa School of Missions, Seed for the Sower, Youth for Christ and his local church.
Ronas Marule – Area Director for Mpumalanga, Youth for Christ
Ronas is Area Director for Mpumalanga at Youth for Christ, a non-profit, non-denominational, Christian youth development ministry directly addressing problems and needs of the young people of South Africa. He also serves on their National Leadership Team. Prior to this he was a Pastor and lecturer at Africa School of Missions. Ronas has served on the boards of Hands at Work, Ekukhanyeni Child Care, Child-Welfare Mpumalanga, Child-Welfare White River and Mpumalanga Alliance for Street Children.
Solly Solomon – Senior Pastor, Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Hazyview
Solly Solomon is the Senior Pastor of Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, where he is deeply involved in community initiatives. Solly is part of the wider Mhaule clan and brother to the Chief of this area. Previous positions include Community Liaison Officer in Hazyview, where Solly gained training and field experience in micro-enterprise lending. He has also been a Court Interpreter and a Primary School Teacher.
Mark Tucker – Co-Founder and CEO, Phakamani Foundation
Mark Tucker has more than 30 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship. He began his career in information technology, holding various management positions in Standard Bank and Anglo American Corporation. He later established Buzzmark Holdings Ltd, a Canadian company that develops and operates Great Clips for Hair franchises in British Columbia and Alberta. Mark also served as Senior Pastor at Heritage Mountain Community Church, in British Columbia, which he helped establish. Mark was born in Canada and raised in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Shirley Tucker – Independent Author, Co-Founder of Phakamani Foundation
Shirley Tucker is an author and community organiser. Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa, Shirley began her career as a trained primary school teacher, serving in South Africa’s public school system for seven years. She later joined Scripture Union as a children’s worker responsible for leading camps and coaching teachers. Shirley is an adult bible teacher, a former Sunday school teacher in a church that she helped establish (with Mark Tucker), a Kids Can Sew Franchisee and she has volunteered with several different non-profit organisations.
